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Local history collection

Language

Medium collection in
French (adult)

Small collection in
French (children)

Branch History

Year

Details

1905

Deer Park Public Library is organized. By 31 December 1905, the "not Free" library has total receipts of $425.65 including a municipal grant of $25 from York Township and $60.75 from member's fees. It has 180 members, 532 volumes issued 212 times and expenditures of $403.40. The library is housed in Deer Park School (it stood from 1888 to 1961 on the north side of today’s St. Clair Avenue East, just east of the present Ferndale Avenue). Principal William J. Thomson is the librarian.

1908

Deer Park is annexed to Toronto from York Township. The assets of the Deer Park Public Library, including $18.25 cash on hand and 1,281 books are transferred to the Toronto Public Library.

1910

Deer Park Public Library ceases to receive provincial and local aid, and closes. “At the request of those interested in the Library, its collection of books [1,281 volumes, plus $18.25 cash on hand] was taken over by the Toronto Public Library, and it decided to open a sub-station in that section of the city. In accordance with this decision, premises have been leased on Yonge Street, in the near vicinity of the Deer Park Post Office, and furnishings and books are being installed. It is the intension of the Board to open this Branch during three afternoons and evenings of the week. It will commence operations with a supply of some 1,200 volumes.” (Toronto Public Library, Annual Report, 1910).

With drastically decreased revenues, the Toronto Public Library Board decides to close Deer Park Branch on 30 April, but reversed its decision on 4 May. “When this decision was announced, however, there arose such a storm of protest that the Board was eventually prevailed upon to keep Deer Park open.” (Toronto Public Library, Annual Report, 1933).